§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the appointment of ministerial nominees to the regions of the English Sports Council. [21319]
§ Mr. BanksMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has previously announced that, as part of our new approach to sport, we are looking at the way that the current sports council structures are working. As part of that review, we have looked carefully at the regional structure of the English Sports Council, the proposed role of ministerial nominees to the council's regional offices, and the relationship between the council and local authorities and governing bodies of sport in the regions. While there is still work to be done on what new arrangements might be introduced, my right hon. Friend and I have decided to stand down all the ministerial nominees that have either been formally appointed or were nominees-designate to work alongside the English Sports Council.
This decision is no reflection on the ability of the individuals concerned to play a part in developing the Government's plans for sport. I will make a further announcement later this year about how we intend to rebuild the relationships between the English Sports Council and its partners in the regions, which were once so strong, and to help ensure that the role of local government and of local sport organisations in providing sports opportunities are given the credit they deserve.